Flexible pipe-coupling.



J. HENDERSON.

FLEXIBLE PIPE COUPLING. APPLICATION FILED 0012.12, 1903.

904,534. Patented Nov. 24, 1908.

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UNITED STATES FgATENT FFTDE.

JAMES HENDERSON, OF THREE RIVERS, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO THE SHEFFIELDGAR 00.,

OF THREE RIVERS, MICHIGAN.

FLEXIBLE PIPE-COUPLING.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES HENDERSON, a citizen of the United States,residing at the village of Three Rivers, in the county of St. Joseph andState of Michigan, have in- -vented certain new and useful Improvementsin Flexible PipeCouplings, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in flexible pipe couplings.

It relates particularly to pipe couplings for locomotive stand pipes,although it is desirable for use in other relations.

The objects of this invention are, first, to provide an improvedflexible pipe coupling in which the friction upon the parts is reducedto a minimum. Second, to provide an improved flexible pipe couplingwhich may be adjusted to secure proper fitting joints and to compensatefor wear. Third, to provide an improved flexible joint couplin forlocomotive stand pipes and the like, whlch is automatically drained.Fourth, to provide an improved flexible joint coupling for locomotivestand pipes and the like, which is economical to produce, durable inuse, and easy to operate.

Futher objects, and objects relating to structural details, willdefinitely appear in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is fully illustratedin the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, inwhich,

Figure 1 is a detail side elevation view of a structure embodying thefeatures of my invention. Fig. 2 is a detail, cross-sectional view taken011 line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail sectional viewtaken on line 33 of Fig. 2.

In the drawing, the sectional views are taken looking in the directionof the little arrows at the ends of the section lines, and similarletters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the severalviews.

Referring to the drawing, A represents the vertical portion or sectionof a locomotive stand pipe, and B, the nozzle or delivery portion orsection. The section A is pro vided with a head or socket member A atits upper end. The socket member A terminates in an annular flange, a.The section Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 12, 1903.

Patented Nov. 24, 1908.

Serial No. 176,694.

B terminates in a ball member B adapted to be inserted into the socketmember A. Secured to the flange a of the socket member A, is a ring Ghaving an inwardly and forwardly projecting flange G. The section B ispivotally supported on the head or socket member by arms D, which arearranged on the pivots D. Thus arranged, the section B may be swung upand down, as indicated in dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 3. Acounterbalance F is secured to the projectmg end of one of the arms D bythe link E. A packing ring or gasket G is provided to form a tight jointbetween the socket A and the ball B, see Fig. 3. The gasket G isretained in position by a ring-like follower I, which is held adjustablyagainst the gasket by set screws 1', arranged through the flange C ofthe ring C. Thus arranged, the tension upon the gasket may be adjustedsufficiently to make a tight joint and also may be adjusted tocompensate for wear.

With the parts thus arranged, there is very little wear upon theapparatus, as the gasket has no weight to carry, simply operatingagainst the ball surface which is a nicely polished surface. Thestructure is very easy to operate, as the section B is carried whollyupon the pivots D. with the counterbalance F, the force required toadjust the delivery portion B is comparatively slight.

A drain passage a is provided for the socket (see Fig. 8) so that thereis no danger of the structure being damaged by freezing or therebybecoming inoperative. hen the delivery pipe is in its downward position,this drain pipe is practically cut off by the end of the ball member B,so that the delivery of the water is not retarded thereby.

My improved coupling is very economical to produce and durable in use,and while the same is particularly adapted for use in connection withstand pipes, in which relation I have illustrated and described thesame, it is very desirable for use in other relations, particularly onheavy pipes or on pipes of large capacity.

I have illustrated and described my im proved coupling in the formpreferred by me on account of its simplicity in construction anddurability in use. I am aware, however, that it is capable ofconsiderable variation without departing from my invention.

' member at its inner end projecting into said socket member; supportingarms by which said horizontally-arranged pipe section is carried andsaid ball member supported in said socket member mounted on saidjournals; a ring having an inwardly projecting flange secured to theflange of said socket member; a gasket or packing ring of less diameterthan the ball member arranged to bear against the end of said socketmember and the surface of said ball member; a ringlike follower orretainer for said gasket; and set screws arranged through said flange onsaid ring for adjusting said gasket retainer, for the purpose specified.

2. The combination of a vertical pipe section having an elbow at itsupper end termi nating in a socket member, having a cylindrical bore;laterally projecting journals on said socket member; an adjustablehorizontally-arranged pipe section provided with a ball member at itsinner end projecting into said socket member; supporting arms by whichsaid horizontally-arranged pipe section is carried and said ball membersupported in said. socket member, mounted on said journals; and a gasketor packing ring arranged to bear against the end of said socket memberand the surface of said ball member, for the purpose specified.

3. The combination of a vertical pipe section having an elbow at itsupper end terminating in a socket member, having a cylindrical bore;laterally projecting journals on said socket member; an adjustablehorizontally-arranged pipe section provided with a ball member at itsinner end projecting into said socket member; and supporting arms bywhich said horizontallyarranged pipe section is carried and said ballmember supported in said socket member, for the purpose specified.

at. The combination of a vertical pipe section having an elbow at itsupper end terminating in a socket member; an adjustablehorizontally-arranged pipe section having a ball member at its inner endarranged within said socket member; journals projecting from said socketmember; a pair of arms by which said horizontal member is carried andsaid ball member is supported within said socket member, mounted on saidournals; and a counterbalance for said adjustable pipe section connectedto said supporting arms.

5. The combination of a vertical pipe section having an elbow at itsupper end terminating in a socket member; an adjustablehorizontally-arranged pipe section having a ball member at its inner endarranged within said socket member; journals projecting from said socketmember; and a pair of arms by which said horizontal member is carriedand said ball member is supported within said socket member, mounted onsaid journals. I

6. The combination of a vertical pipe section having an elbow at itsupper end terminating in a cylindrical socket member; a

drain passage at the bottom of said socket member opening into saidvertical pipe section; ournals on said socket member; a ball member; andarms by which said ball member is carried and supported in said socketmember mounted on-said journals, for the purpose specified.

7. A stand pipe having in combination a vertical portion, a. horizontalarm having a ball-and-socket connection with the vertical JAMESHENDERSON.

Witnesses:

l/V. S. HOVEY, JOHN V. HAGAN.

